Cam Talbot's departure from Detroit’s game against Vancouver on December 1st due to a lower-body injury and his tandem-mate, Alex Lyon's placement on IR after an injury sustained during practice on November 27th have created a void between the pipes for the Red Wings.
Detroit had decisions to make with both the NHL squad’s netminders out. Veteran Ville Husso was already recalled to serve as the backup after Lyon’s injury. When Talbot went down, Husso became the Red Wings’ defacto starting goalie. The choice then became who to call up as a temporary backup, and Detroit opted to go with Cossa.
UPDATE: The #RedWings have recalled goaltender Sebastian Cossa from the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins under emergency conditions. pic.twitter.com/qsuuGJNTXN
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 2, 2024
The decision likely came down to two NHL first-round picks: 22-year-old Cossa, and journeyman Jack Campbell. Detroit signed Campbell in the off-season after two seasons in Edmonton. The Dallas Stars' former 11th overall pick in 2010 has a .909 save percentage and a 2.75 GAA in 176 NHL games. However, his time for Detroit quickly became uncertain as he entered the NHL player assistance program in early October. He exited the program in mid-November and was promptly put on waivers.
Cossa is the clear favorite for the Red Wings' top goaltending position in the future. Fans are concerned about the potential impact a callup now could have on his development. Detroit’s defense has been a weak spot this season, lowlighted by an NHL-worst 65.3% penalty kill. Putting a young, inexperienced goalie in net behind a middling defense could stunt his development and damage his confidence if things go south.
On the other hand, if Cossa performs well at the NHL level, he could help bring a stabilizing presence to a team that has failed to live up to expectations thus far. Detroit’s goalie play has been inconsistent for multiple seasons now. Talbot and Lyon were putting up better numbers than last season before their injuries. Now the responsibility of keeping the team above water in a race for a wild-card spot falls to their replacements.
The 6’6”, 230-pound Cossa, was selected 15th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft. He has spent the better part of the last three seasons with the Red Wings’ AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. Cossa has been excellent for Grand Rapids this season, posting a 9-4-1 record with a .925 save percentage and 2.21 GAA. Red Wings fans hope this success can carry into the NHL.
Hailing from Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Cossa has been a standout prospect since his time in the WHL. In the 2020-2021 season, he was awarded the WHL Goaltender of the Year award. He finished that season with a 1.57 GAA and a save percentage of .941 for the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings.
For Cossa, the chance to be immersed in the professional environment and practice with seasoned NHL players could provide value that is difficult to replicate at the AHL level. If he performs well, it could pave the way for more opportunities, making his eventual transition to a full-time NHL role smoother.